I was looking through some old photographs recently and I ran across this photo (above) that I took when I was 17 years old. (It’s hard for me to believe that was 42 years ago!)
I have loved photography since I was 16, when I started out with a Pentax KX 35mm film camera and several rolls of Kodachrome 64 slide film. I especially loved sunsets. I loved the colors and the “mood” of the sky as the sun went down.
I quickly moved into all aspects of photography, experimenting with nature, landscape, portraiture, studio lighting, color and B&W darkroom work.
I shot this image at the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens, at age 17.
I think it is important for you to try different types of photography. Even try things that you think might not be of interest to you. Explore, experiment, learn, and grow. Get out of your comfort zone and try things that force you to learn new skills.
One piece of advice I give to all photographers is to not just keep doing what you have always done. If you do, you’ll keep getting what you have already gotten. Try new things. Make mistakes. Learn from your mistakes, and you will grow as a photographer.
Make it your mission over the next several months to try some type of photography that you have never tried before!
Kevin, your advise always inspires me to do more. Your easy manner and clear and precise instruction is why I kept coming back to your classes. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, your support and now Your Book!! It is filled with all the wonderful things of which I need to be reminded. It would be a great gift for so many this season.